Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is Public Education Day, and I stand here absolutely astonished that we in this place have been debating the fact that $22.3 billion has been cut from the education system. The public education system is the very backbone of education in our country. Let me tell this government very clearly: I stand here proudly supporting the public schools in my electorate of Herbert—schools like Aitkenvale State School, where, for two-thirds of the population, English is a second language; a school where the principal has offered the most innovative language program to assist these kids to get the English language under their belt before they move into mainstream studies so that they are not left behind. I also stand here to say congratulations to Kirwan State High School, the second-largest state high school in Queensland, with very diverse school population. I pay my utmost respect to the incredible dedication of the principals and teachers in our public school system. They deserve to have the resources that they need to ensure that every child our community has the best possible education.